Paris probe widens scrutiny of Musk’s X and Grok

French prosecutors have carried out a judicial operation targeting offices and data linked to Elon Musk’s social media platform X as part of an inquiry into how the company’s recommendation systems operate, widening the scope to include examination of its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. The move places one of the world’s most influential digital platforms under intensified regulatory and legal scrutiny in Europe at a time when authorities are tightening oversight of algorithm-driven services.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that the operation was connected to a preliminary inquiry examining whether X’s recommendation algorithm complies with French law and European digital regulations governing transparency, consumer protection and the dissemination of harmful content. Investigators are now also assessing whether Grok, the AI chatbot embedded within X, raises additional concerns related to data use, automated decision-making and the amplification of information across the platform.

X, formerly known as Twitter, has been under sustained attention from European regulators since Musk acquired the company in 2022 and implemented sweeping changes to content moderation, verification systems and product development. French authorities have indicated that their inquiry focuses on how content is prioritised and distributed to users, whether ranking mechanisms can distort public debate, and how automated tools interact with user data.

Officials familiar with the inquiry said investigators are seeking technical documentation and internal explanations of how recommendations are generated, including the role of machine-learning models that adapt content feeds in real time. The inclusion of Grok reflects concern that conversational AI tools integrated into social platforms can influence information flows beyond traditional feed algorithms, especially when responses are generated using live data from user interactions.

The operation in Paris follows a broader European push to enforce the Digital Services Act, which imposes obligations on large online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks, provide transparency on algorithms and allow independent scrutiny. National prosecutors have parallel powers under domestic law to investigate potential breaches related to consumer protection, data handling and public order.

Legal analysts say the French action underscores a shift from purely regulatory engagement to more assertive investigative measures. “Authorities are no longer satisfied with policy statements or high-level assurances,” said a Paris-based digital law specialist. “They want to see the mechanics of these systems and understand their real-world effects.”

X has previously argued that its recommendation systems are designed to promote open discourse and that algorithmic transparency has improved under Musk’s ownership, citing the partial release of code and explanations of ranking logic. The company has also positioned Grok as a differentiated AI product, claiming it is built to answer questions candidly and to provide context rather than steer opinion.

Critics counter that algorithmic changes at X have coincided with spikes in misinformation and abusive content, allegations the company disputes. Civil society groups in France have urged authorities to examine whether engagement-based ranking incentivises polarising material and whether AI-generated responses can inadvertently reinforce misleading narratives.

The inquiry’s expansion to include Grok reflects growing unease among European policymakers about generative AI systems that are tightly coupled with social networks. Unlike standalone chatbots, integrated tools can draw on platform-specific data and influence user behaviour at scale. Regulators have raised questions about consent, the provenance of training data and safeguards against automated amplification.

From a corporate perspective, the investigation adds to mounting pressure on Musk’s technology empire in Europe, where regulators have shown a willingness to challenge large platforms regardless of their global prominence. For X, potential outcomes range from formal compliance orders to financial penalties if violations are established, though prosecutors stressed that the inquiry remains at an investigative stage.

Market observers note that European enforcement actions can have ripple effects beyond national borders, prompting changes to product design and governance across regions. Several technology companies have adjusted recommendation features or introduced user controls following regulatory scrutiny in the bloc.